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Kokkola is a city situated in Ostrobothnia, with a population of approximately 36000. It is the largest city on the coast, between Oulu and Vaasa. It was founded in 1620 and during the 18th century it had one of the largest merchant fleets in Finland, and was a major producer of tar and ships. Presently Kokkola is a fairly peaceful city.

Get in

Train - Trains that leave from Helsinki are available daily.

Bus - Bus' from all over Finland stop regularly at Kokkola

Car - The largest highway that passes through Kokkola is the E8

Plane - Kruunupyy airport is the closest one to Kokkola, about 20 kilometers away.

Get around

Kokkola is a fairly small city so the easiest way to see the sights is walking.

See

The Natural History Collection Kieppi holds a large collection of minerals and stuffed animals.

The K.H.Renlund Art Museum - A valuable collection of finnish art from the late 19th century.

Museum of History - Situated in an old school-house that is one of Finland's oldest non-
religious structures, it holds many items related to the seafaring history of Kokkola, including many model ships.

Vanha kaupunki - The old quarter of Kokkola. One of the largest and most well preserved wooden house districts in Finland.

Tankar Island - A beautiful rocky island with it's own lighthouse, an old church and a seal-hunting museum. Regular trips made by the ferry MS Jenny.

Kaarlelan kirkko - A medieval stone church from the 15th century.

Kaarlelan kotiseutumuseo - A museum that shows visitors the culture of Ostrobothnia before industrialisation.

The firemuseum - A museum done by the volunteer firemen of Kaarlela to their fire station. In the museum there are various objects from 1800s to 1990s. The museum is open regularily in summertime, otherwise you must contact the honorary fire chief or the fire chief of Kaarlela volunteer fire department.

Do

Kokkolan kaupunginteatteri - The city theatre

Freetime activity center - Possibilities for such activities as swimming, bowling, hockey and ice-skating, wall-climbing and many others.

Kokkola Cup - The second largest annual football tournament held for children under 18 is held in Kokkola every july.

Kahakka - An annual victory celebration that has expanded to a city festival. It is held to celebrate the towns victory over a skirmish with the british during the Crimean war.

Venetsialaiset - An annual happening to celebrate the ending of cabin season, the last day to spend time in your summer cottages, that's held on the last weekend of August. It's a celebration of fire, light and water. Fireworks fill the night sky. People decorate their yards with fires and lights.

Buy

Kokkola has many larger stores and smaller shops.

Eat

Fast-food and pizzerias
There are at least three fast-food franchises, over ten pizzerias and many small food stalls

Restaurants
Many good rastaurants for everybody. Basic restaurants, chinese and some serve slightly mexican food.